I know you’re thinking, did I read that correctly? Did she really link joy with the Department of Motor Vehicles? The answer would be a resounding “yes!” Here’s my story.

I recently got a notice in the mail saying that it was time to renew my driver’s license. Ugh!!! I thought of the long lines, the cranky clerks behind the windows chewing on antacids because of the heartburn that seems to go with the job. And I wanted to put off the experience as long as possible. But another part of me said, “Oh—just get it over with.”

So on a picture perfect day, I decided to take a chance on the DMV!! I had all my paperwork completed and my check already made out. I drove my trusty 2002 white Mustang convertible, headed for the Maine Mall branch. I sang songs all the way there. And took a good book (Blue Horizon by Wilbur Smith—I love his rousing and romantic adventures). I also had a bottle of water. I was prepared to sit around well-hydrated and entertained for as long as it took.

I went in, got my number, and sat down. Lo and behold, a very congenial, smiling, and funny guy, who is the supervisor, came right over and said, “Here for a license renewal?” I said “yes.” He looked over my paperwork to be sure I had everything. Then two smiling women sat down beside me and we struck up a lively conversation about how much fun it was to have this man waiting on us at the DMV.

Within about 10 minutes my number came up. And I went over to the window. The clerk thought I looked familiar but couldn’t place me. When I told her who I was, she shared that she was working toward a degree in Naturopathic studies. Imagine that! Holistic thought at the DMV!!! Then she took my picture. For the first time EVER, I didn’t have to force a smile because the person behind the camera elicited a genuine one right from my heart.

And then I was finished. What? Wait! I didn’t even get to drink my water or read my book!! I went over to the friendly supervisor, thanked him, and floated out of there. My new license will be mailed to me. And I got it over a month ahead of time!

So here’s the take home message: it’s possible to create heaven on earth—even at the Department of Motor Vehicles. Give it a try. The way I see it, if it can happen there, it can happen ANYWHERE!!

I was at the grocery store yesterday buying some produce for a shrimp stir fry for supper. I ran into the produce manager, who was joking with another employee near the potato area. I smiled at him, and he said, “Do you like eggplant?” I said, “Yes.” He told me to wait there and went into the back room. He emerged with an eggplant that had a protuberance that looked just like an upturned Pinocchio nose. He told me that he was going to put two cherry tomatoes on it for eyes. And then perhaps a lemon slice for a mouth. When he was done, he positioned and repositioned his “Mr. Eggplant” creation amongst the vegetables until it was arranged to his liking. I was charmed by this little moment of delight in the midst of grocery shopping. When I walked away he said, “Yesterday, I had a potato that looked like Jay Leno.”

I left the grocery store with a big smile on my face, which turned out to be contagious. Everywhere I went for the rest of the afternoon other people smiled back at me, all because the produce manager at the grocery store had decided to bring joy and pleasure into his day—and mine! So simple. It cost nothing. And the net effect was a boost in my immunity, a burst of circulation-enhancing nitric oxide throughout my cardiovascular system, and a contagious sense of fun and play that spread out into the world. All from one funny eggplant paired with a man who appreciated nature’s little joke enough to share it with others.

That, my friends, is the secret to a long and happy life. Noticing the funny little things that happen every day—and then spreading the fun!

Here’s another little episode that has kept me laughing all week. I was in San Diego last weekend, enjoying a room service breakfast with Diane, my CEO of Everything, and my daughter Kate. Kate had ordered some sausage for breakfast but it was missing from the order. About 10 minutes into our meal, there was a knock on the door. Diane said, “Must be the missing link.” Sure enough, our server was at the door with the missing sausage links. I thought her comment was not only lightening quick (she’s a Gemini, which rules communication and wit), but also very funny. That one sentence has produced at least a dozen smiles.

Here’s the take-home message: Whether it’s a funny looking vegetable or a witty remark, joy and fun are around us all the time. The more you pay attention to joy, the more you’ll experience it—and the healthier and happier you’ll be.

On May 4, 2010, Robert Holden, Ph.D., was the guest on my radio show Flourish!. Dr. Holden is the Founder and Director of the Happiness Project and author of many books on happiness and success, including Happiness Now!: Timeless Wisdom for Feeling Good Fast (Hay House, 2007). Though I had known about Robert’s work for a number of years, I didn’t truly appreciate his gift to the world until I heard him read a poem by Hafiz entitled, I Know the Way You Can Get on the CD that accompanies Kim Rosen’s wonderful book Saved by a Poem. I began the radio show by asking Robert to recite that poem. And it set up a wonderful vibration for the rest of our time together.

He shared his family story with me, growing up in a tiny town in England with a very loving family, which had problems like many other families. His mother was afflicted with periodic depressions that “came out of nowhere” and then disappeared. His father drank too much and eventually ended up homeless. From those early defining experiences, Robert kept asking himself over and over again “What is real?” And the answer he kept getting was “love.” And so, starting in his 20’s, Robert decided to let love and loving guide his life. This included loving all aspects of himself and others, especially the parts that he or others considered unlovable, such as the parts of our bodies that we don’t like and the emotions we consider unacceptable.

In fact, the kernel of truth that runs through all of Robert’s work is this: No amount of self-improvement can make up for a lack of self-acceptance. So true. Although it’s a bit of a paradox, when you start with the mindset of self-acceptance, your efforts to improve yourself will be far more effective. In the book Happiness Now!, there’s a wonderful poem on self-acceptance. One stanza is:

Without self acceptance, you are always hiding.

With self acceptance, your spirit is gliding.

Nice line, eh? When you catch yourself in the inevitable self-judgment and self-criticism spin that our ego so often engages in, say the following out loud to yourself:

I accept myself unconditionally right now.

 And you might also add a fun little touch to encourage self-acceptance, like:

And I am completely adorable.

There, now don’t you feel happier? Right now?

For many, many years, I have said affirmations every day. They work along with the Law of Attraction and help to change your vibrational output. Because of the Law of Attraction, this vibrational output draws the people and circumstances into your life based on your thoughts and beliefs. They can be used for every area of your life. So if you are about to embark on a new career, if you want to begin to live a healthier lifestyle, or if you want to update or upgrade your relationships, and so forth, I suggest saying affirmations. It’s a subtle but powerful way to receive support from the universe—plus it feels good. And that is the beginning of all positive changes! When you can hold the feeling that an affirmation brings, it will change your point of attraction for the better.

Here are some of my favorite affirmations to encourage new beginnings, happiness, joy, and prosperity.

I am health, strength, peace, happiness, and prosperity.

Divine love, expressing through me, now draws to me all that is needed to make me happy and my life complete.

My life is unfolding perfectly, in ways that are enchanting, exciting, and uplifting.

I love taking care of my body. My body responds so beautifully to this care.

I am magnetic to wealth and health.

When I say YES to myself and my needs, my energy always increases and I feel wonderful.

I awaken each morning feeling the promise of a new day and a new beginning.

I love moving my body. I love getting stronger and more flexible every day.